Welcome to episode #40 Our guest today is Dan Macqueen.
On June 21, 2014, Dan's reality was shattered by a devastating brain hemorrhage. With no map to guide him on the grueling path to recovery, Dan had to rely on his grit, perseverance, and resilience to relearn everything he once knew: how to walk, talk and even smile.
Dan has survived two emergency brain surgeries, weeks in a coma, and months in a rehab hospital. What he found out along the way might surprise you: there is nothing like a brain injury to refocus the mind! Driven by a positive mindset, Dan battled through excruciating rehab exercises to rebuild his life and return to a job he loved.
Welcome to the show Dan!
Questions
Tell us about what happened in 2014
Was in London studying
Really bad headaches that kept getting worse
Went to the hospital and they sent him away saying they thought it was vertigo
A few days later, completely lost vision for several minutes
Again they sent him away - asking him to get his eyes tested
The optometrist stopped the test halfway and asked him to go straight to the hospital
Emergency brain surgery - hemorrhage
Months of rehab to re-learn walking and talking - incredibly painful
Returned to work 2.5 days per week but then had a second brain injury
Another round of grueling rehab - had to do it at home as funding didn’t allow in-hospital rehab
Still has double vision but otherwise has been able to regain autonomy and movement
What "work" projects are you concentrating on?
After rehab, worked at Hootsuite in implementation team (customer success) helping EMEA clients
Now motivational speaker: 4 days per week
How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
Swim in pool
Brunch
What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?
Get up early and work out
Cold shower
Meditate for 20 minutes
Breakfast
What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?
Momentum
Do the most difficult task first thing (timebox)
Building blocks: half do things so it’s easier to pick it up again -
Fatigue management
Sleep
Fika - coffee break
Meditate
Timers and alarms
Get mindset right: adversity is co
COMMERCIAL BREAK
How do you switch off at night?
Clean kitchen
Tea and magnesium
In bed at 10 pm
Lights out at 10.30 pm
Sleep quality:
Dark room
Quiet
Read fiction before sleeping
What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?
Fiction
“In the blood”
“Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy”
“Get it done” by Joe Rogan to help clean kitchen
“The war of art”
Rich Rolls podcast
Woop
Neil Pettris: “You are awesome”
Where can people connect with you or find your work?
macqueendan.com
macqueendan on socials (Instagram)
Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?
It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it that matters
Episode 40